As Ginebra coaching job beckons, Zamar reiterates UE Warriors is his top priority

“I think there is no conflict. If ever there (will be) a conflict, I’ll give my priority to UE,” says coach Boycie Zamar (left) as he weighs a move to join Al Chua's coaching staff at Ginebra. Jerome Ascano

BOYCIE Zamar declared that he is fully committed to University of the East in the UAAP amid reports that he is set to take on another job as an assistant coach with a PBA team.

Zamar said that he will continue to focus on the Red Warriors’ campaign in the new season of the UAAP starting with the opening-day match against Far Eastern University on June 29 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The veteran coach made the statement after Spin.ph broke the news has been picked to be hired as one of the new assistants of head coach Alfrancis Chua at Ginebra in the PBA.

“The official announcement is that the UE Red Warriors is ready in the UAAP,” said Zamar during a luncheon on Monday at the Manila Yacht Club. “The coach itself is ready, committed and reassured the UE management that I’m 200 percent committed to UE.”

In an interview after the affair, Zamar played coy about the reported move to the PBA’s most popular team under the San Miguel Corporation banner but admitted that he might take a job in the pro league.

He also admitted that he has received offers not just from San Miguel but also other teams, something that Zamar claimed he has made known to UE management.

"I wrote a letter to them (UE officials) reassuring my commitment to the UAAP because management wanted to concentrate on the UAAP. As a professional, you have to focus on UAAP first," Zamar said.

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However, Zamar said he doesn't see a conflict of interest if and when he takes on an assistant coach in the PBA, citing the likes of Pido Jarencio of University of Santo Tomas (Petron), Nash Racela of Far Eastern University (Talk ’N Text), and Ricky Dandan of University of the Philippines (Globalport) as examples of UAAP coaches in a similar role.

“I think there is no conflict. If ever there (will be) a conflict, I’ll give my priority to UE,” said Zamar.

Zamar also noted that getting hired as an assistant in the pros would be a boost not only to his career but to the UE athletic program as well.

The Warriors have shown tremendous improvement in a short period, the seventh-placers in the UAAP last year turning into what rivals teams now consider a Final Four contender after beating last year’s champion National University in the title match of a preseason tournament earlier this month.

Now the UE community is eager to see if the Warriors can translate the preseason success into victories in the UAAP with Zamar at the helm.

UE team manager Jesus Tanchanco said he is looking forward to the team’s campaign in the UAAP after the preseason success.